Public makes case for the best way to slice up funds in Norfolk

NORFOLK

Nearly 400 citizens turned out Thursday night at Granby High School to implore the City Council to spend more money.

Some asked for higher salaries for employees.

Others asked for more spending for school construction. Many asked for improved retirement benefits.

The pleas, at the city's annual budget hearing, came one night after more than 100 showed up to ask the city to reduce real estate tax rates.

And when the council meets to discuss the budget next week, it's unlikely either group will be satisfied.

The $1.2 billion budget proposed by City Manager Regina V.K. Williams was balanced with a great deal of pain, city officials said. Budgets were cut. Raises for employees are lower than usual.

Proposed real estate tax rates are not reduced, even though assessments are rising.

Of the budget increases requested Thursday, only increases in pay for public safety employees have much support on council, and on that issue, the council appears split. "This is a very tough budget," Mayor Paul Fraim said.

Still, more than 60 speakers asked for more spending.

Mary Simpson Jones, whose son graduated from Granby High School and now attends Virginia Wesleyan College, said her son is an honor roll student because of the fine education he received in the city. She called for increased funding for the schools.

"Instead of building up our great city downtown, we can build up the schools," she said.

Bill Eason, who heads the East Ocean View Civic League, asked for money to help fight crime along Pleasant Avenue, a street he said "is anything but pleasant."

Joseph Myers, an attorney, urged the council to keep its commitment to build a new, $106 million courthouse complex.

Myers said General District Court judges must mingle in the hallway with defendants they recently sentenced.

He said he has been told by judges, "Don't call me judge in the hallway." Williams recommended delaying the appropriation of money for the courthouse in the capital improvements budget but said the project itself won't be delayed.

The council will formally adopt its budget May 20, but the real work will be done at noon Tuesday, when the council holds an informal work session at City Hall. All decisions on changes to the budget and tax rate will be made then.

Harry Minium, (757) 446-2371, harry.minium@pilotonline.com